The tone of The Playboy of the Western World combines humor and reflection. Humorous elements include the play's opening sequence, which develops a satirical tone that humorously portrays the villagers' exaggerated reactions to Christy Mahon's arrival. The rapid shift from condemning Christy to hailing him as a hero provides a humorous commentary on the nature of hero worship and the fickleness of public opinion. In Act I, Pegeen lists a few humorous reasons for valorizing Christy:
PEGEEN (standing beside him, watching him with delight). You should have had great people in your family, I’m thinking, with the little, small feet you have, and you with a kind of a quality name, the like of what you’d find on the great powers and potentates of France and Spain.
Here, Pegeen reflects upon Christy's physical features, as well as his name, and concludes that he must be from a great family. Her grand comparison suggests her sheltered perspective and seems hilarious in light of Christy's beaten-down condition—after all, his feet, which Pegeen effusively praises, are covered in blisters. But she does not seem to notice, preferring to emphasize the parts of his character that suggest greatness.
In contrast to its more humorous elements, the play's reflective aspect can be found in its social commentary on societal values and expectations. It challenges traditional norms and offers a nuanced perspective on heroism, morality, and the complexities of human nature. Synge also sometimes blends humor and reflection, using humor as a tool to get readers/viewers to reflect upon the nature of the society he portrays.
